Viewed from the outside, this weekend seems like a symbol of the difference between Dennis Schröder’s claim and reality. Berlin instead of Cleveland, German basketball province, the really big show took place in a hall with LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.
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While the best professionals in the NBA meet for the All Star Game, the 28-year-old is in Germany and is cheering on the Basketball Löwen Braunschweig in the fight for the cup. He played for them himself when he last took part in the Top Four ten years ago, and now he owns the Bundesliga team. “It’s crazy that we’re here now,” Schröder told the German Press Agency before leaving.
Schröder rejects highly paid Lakers contract
A year ago, Schröder played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the team of the then NBA champion alongside LeBron James. He turned down an offer for four years and a salary of $84 million and went to the other record champions, the Boston Celtics – for a year and a salary of $5.9 million. A week ago, however, they preferred to bring Daniel Theis back and send Schröder to the Houston Rockets in exchange. They are last in the Western Conference and have no chance of making the playoffs.
What reads like a no-confidence vote in Boston and a dead-end career is no reason for Schröder to get excited. “If you take that personally, then you’re not a businessman,” he says, smiling.
Since he signed a contract with the Atlanta Hawks with a total volume of over 70 million US dollars, he knows “that I no longer have to go to work. That I am assured that my family is doing well. I have my two children, my wife, my family in Germany, which I will see now – that’s all I need.” Schröder’s self-confidence has not suffered any visible scratches over the past twelve months. Neither does his composure, apparently. “In the end, I know my worth.”
Belief in your own quality
Schröder has his reasons – both for saying no to the Lakers and for continuing to believe in his own quality. “It wasn’t how I imagined it in LA. There were a lot of things where I thought, I don’t know if I want to sign there in the long term,” he says of the most dazzling team in the NBA. “I didn’t play as well as I can. I didn’t play the way Dennis Schröder can help a team.”
He’s proven time and time again with the Celtics that he’s absolutely capable of doing this – and quite freshly in just his second game for the Rockets on Wednesday. The day before the clear smack against the Clippers, the Texans played the current best team in the league, the Phoenix Suns, and had the big favorite on the brink of defeat. In particular, because Schröder not only threw 23 points, but distributed the ball, directed it and instructed the teammates.
“He’s a very good communicator. He knows how to get guys in the right place. He is aware of his teammates and puts a lot of pressure on the opponent’s point guard,” said Rockets coach Stephen Silas. In addition, Schröder is experienced.
Basketball players are about appreciation and respect
Immediately after the deal, some pundits assumed the Rockets would pay off Schröder and quickly part ways. But the point guard says: “My advisor is doing his job and speaking to the Houston Rockets and they wanted to keep me for the long term. This year I will most likely stay here.” You can never rule out anything, “but that people come to me and make me feel good is of course better than anything else,” said Schröder.
That’s what it’s all about for him now: to be used and valued. Responsibility and respect are even more important to Schröder than an NBA title. “I don’t want to go somewhere where I just win a championship. I’m too proud of that. I also want to play a big role and contribute to it,” he says. “Feeling good is now my priority.”
The Rockets are therefore not a bad place for him. He sees “many, many players who are very, very talented. Where we have a few building blocks and can build around them.” If some experienced professionals come from teams that have recently played successfully in the summer, “then we can tear something.” Schröder, it seems, is completely at peace with himself. And is looking forward to Berlin and the Basketball Löwen Braunschweig. (dpa)
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